A recent survey conducted by the nonprofit Asian American Foundation revealed that the majority of Americans are unable to name a famous Asian American. Out of over 6,200 respondents, 52% said they couldn’t think of any famous Asian American, while 9% named actor Jackie Chan, who is actually from Hong Kong and not American. Another 5% named Bruce Lee, who is Asian American but passed away in 1973, and only 2% named Vice President Kamala Harris, who is of Asian descent. This year’s findings mark a change from last year, when 26% of respondents answered “I don’t know” to the same question. Researchers attribute this jump to the introduction of the option “none come to mind”, highlighting the invisibility of the Asian American community.
The study also found that Americans often confused Asian nationals with Asian Americans, and when they were able to name someone, it was rarely a woman. Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF, expressed that this lack of recognition reflects the historical invisibility of Asian Americans in American society. Jackie Chan has been the top answer for four years in a row, prompting the question of who will be the first person to replace him as a famous Asian American and when that will happen. This highlights the need for greater representation and recognition of Asian Americans in mainstream media and society.
The survey revealed that Asian Americans made up nearly 26% of respondents, with 49.5% being white, 12.6% Hispanic, and 9.4% Black. The findings indicate a lack of awareness and visibility of the Asian American community among the general population. Sruthi Chandrasekaran, director of data and research at TAAF, emphasized the importance of addressing this invisibility, which has persisted for centuries. The persistent inability of Americans to name a famous Asian American underscores the urgent need for greater representation and acknowledgment of the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans in various fields.
The study highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Asian American community in terms of recognition and visibility in American society. Despite efforts to increase representation, the invisibility of Asian Americans persists, with many Americans unable to name a single famous Asian American. This lack of awareness underscores the need for continued advocacy and representation to ensure that the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans are recognized and celebrated. TAAF’s CEO, Norman Chen, emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue and working towards greater visibility and representation of Asian Americans in mainstream media and society to combat the long-standing invisibility of the community.
As the survey findings demonstrate, the confusion between Asian nationals and Asian Americans further complicates the issue of recognition and visibility for the community. The prevalence of naming individuals from outside the Asian American community, such as Jackie Chan, highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the diversity and contributions of Asian Americans. Moving forward, it is crucial for efforts to be made to address the invisibility of Asian Americans and promote greater representation and recognition to combat the persistent lack of awareness among the general population. By raising awareness and highlighting the achievements of Asian Americans, steps can be taken to challenge stereotypes and biases and foster a more inclusive and diverse society.
